First Drive Review: 2014 Kia Cadenza by Henny Hemmes
+VIDEO

New entry – added value

GLENDALE, CA - December 24, 2013: Last year I was impressed by the
Optima, Kia’s new midsize sedan. Not only did I like the design, but
also the handling and quality of fit and finish. When I opened the door of
the 2014 Cadenza, it was no surprise to see well a executed cockpit, which is
certainly in line with Kia’s new styling direction. It also confirms that the
Optima was not a one-off. Under design chief Peter Schreyer both exterior
and interior styling are consistent factors in the family resemblance of
the new vehicles, adding to the success of the Kia brand in the US, with
more than half a million cars sold here for the first time in 2012.

2014 Kia Cadenza

The Kia Cadenza was unveiled in December 2009 at the Riyadh Motor Show
as the successor to the Opirus/Amanti, dubbed K7 in Korea. However, the Cadenza
did not make it to the North American market until this year as a special
US version. The luxury sedan shares the underpinnings and the 3.3-liter V6
engine with the Azera, its corporate brother from Hyundai. The Cadenza is
some two inches longer, but more important, it is hard to find similarities
between the pair. It's easier to find a little BMW, especially in the rear
end seen from the side, where the Cadenza can be identified by triangular
LED tail lights and twin oval tail pipes that are integrated in the rear
bumper.

2014 Kia Cadenza

It also is Kia’s flag ship. At the 2013 LA Auto Show the Koreans
presented a concept for an even larger V8 model that will probably hit the US market in the second half of next year.
It was presented as the K900 concept. As a premium, entry-luxury front wheel drive
sedan, the Cadenza hits a competitive segment with models such as the Buick
Lacrosse, Chevrolet Impala, Chrysler 300 and Toyota Avalon, just to mention
a few.

Watch the 2014 Cadenza introduced at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show

With the Cadenza, I drove quite some miles: from Los Angles to San Diego
for some leisure time – the first this year – and on to Palm
Desert. Leisure still means driving, but the mix of city, country roads and
highway proved to be fun and informative.

2014 Kia Cadenza

The only engine available is a
3.3-liter direct injected V6 with 293 hp and 255 lb-ft of maximum torque,
combined with 6-speed automatic transmission with Sportmatic. The engine is
powerful and runs smoothly and offers enough power to give the 3,800-pound
Cadenza a lively character. The 6-speed transmission is an excellent match
to the broad torque curve and operates in a smooth way. Since the Cadenza
is rated for 22 mpg combined city/highway, I had to count twice to see if I
did not make a mistake. Not really: with 25.31 mpg, the Kia proved to be
less thirsty. Perhaps the ratings are a bit more conservative nowadays..?
Anyway, I wasn't always cruising, and often gave the Kia some welly and it
was fun to feel how easy it went to higher speeds and to feel the
refinement in handling as well.

2014 Kia Cadenza

The suspension is tuned in a way that the
car is firm and solid on winding roads, but I guess that well-balanced
comfort was more important to the development staff than true sportiness.
The hydraulic steering gear gives enough feed back and is not too vague and
when you feel active, you can use the paddle-shifters. Anyway, they do
provide a sporty look.

It speaks for itself that stitched white nappa leather seat trim asks
for extra caution: no eating and no drinking in the car. You cannot
complain, as it really looks gorgeous and you want to keep it that way. But
if it were your daily driver… white may be a bit unpractical.
The interior is really well executed and the Cadenza offers extensive standard
equipment, such as leather seat trim, rain sensing wipers, back up warning
system, dual zone climate control with air filtration, a cloud-connected
navi system with an 8”display, and satellite radio.

2014 Kia Cadenza

My test car had two
packages, each worth 3,000 dollars. The Technology package with advanced
smart cruise control, blind spot detection, lane departure warning,
electronic parking brake, and 19-inch allow wheels with rubber in the size
245/40/19. The Luxury package offers a panorama roof, HID headlights with
adaptive lighting, nappa leather seat and interior trim, ventilated
driver’s seat, heated steering wheel and more.
Pricing starts at $35,900 including handling and with the two packages the Cadenza’s
MSRP came to $41,900. You get sophisticated exterior styling, a nicely
worked out cabin and new safety and comfort features. It will help the
Cadenza find its way to buyers, who never before would have considered the
Kia brand.